Oliver!
The first solo song for anyone playing the lead Oliver is on the high side. When nine year old Damian Hempstead struggled to pitch it, he hid his face in his gruel bowl in shame.
The audience willed him to keep going and were rewarded soon after, with a sweet performance of Where is Love?
It was a good lesson for the younger members of the cast. If you miss a line or note don’t react to it. Young Damian gave an entertaining performance and had nothing to apologise for. Anyone appearing in their first musical in such a big role at a tender age has the audience on their side.
Packemin Productions gives children and many familiar faces from Sydney’s community theatre scene the opportunity to perform on stage with three professionals.
It’s a great model.
Wayne Scott Kermond played Fagin. The whole production lifted as soon as he stepped on stage. He played the role with great affection and made us like the old crook.
Todd Keys as Bill Sikes had the opposite effect. He is a terrifying on-stage villain, enough to give anyone a nightmare, while Katie McKee played Nancy with passion and sincerity.
Of the non professionals, Jake Woodhead as The Artful Dodger was the stand out, while Graham Bone as Mr Sowerberry, Paul Holmes as Mr Brownlow and jack of all trades Andrew Davis gave the production the benefit of their decades of experience.
The Producer/Director Neil Gooding likes to ‘packemin’ on stage. The very large cast was well drilled, with excellent choreography by Camilla Jakimowicz.
The set was built by Bob Peet, who directed the Australian amateur premiere of Oliver! In the 1970’s. His attention to detail, clever use of dark corners and the use of sleek flys gave the whole production a boost.
Aided by a bright as a button band under the baton of Peter Hayward, Oliver! had the audience asking for more.
David Spicer
Images: (from top) Wayne Scott Kermond as Fagin and the gang; Katie McKee as Nancy singing As Long As He Needs Me; Damian Hempstead as Oliver singing Where Is Love and Jake Woodhead as The Artful Dodger. Photographer: Grant Leslie.
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